Steelers Blog

Where do you need to improve on defense?We need to improve everywhere.

How did it feel being back out on the field?
It felt good. I felt good all game.

Were you on any type of snap count during the game?
I don’t know if I was on a count. I think it was a better game plan going into the last game than it was going into the Philadelphia game when I injured myself. I’m just very happy to come out with a victory.

In what way was it better?
That I was limited in a way, in terms of repetitions and the game plan, and as far as practice was concerned throughout the week.

If you were limited earlier in the season, do you feel that this re-injury may not have happened?
I don’t know. I don’t like to deal in hypotheticals.

Was it worse the second time than the first time?
No, it was just a different muscle.

Are there ways that Chargers QB Philip Rivers is still dangerous, even though he said he is having a disappointing season?
We definitely know what he’s capable of and I’m sure they’re very disappointed in their record as we are with our record. We definitely know what they’re capable of. We always play each other really well, no matter what the records are.

Since you were somewhat limited last game, were you playing more within the structure of the defense?
I just played. If [the big plays] come, they come.

How much will things change without CB Ike Taylor, and are you encouraged with what you saw from CB Cortez Allen last game?
The defensive backs and the coaches obviously know what they’re capable of, Curtis [Brown] and Cortez. It’s what we expected, the performance from them. To replace somebody like Ike, who I don’t think has ever missed a game here, is going to be tough. It’s going to be different for our defense.